ERIC Number: EJ755531
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 27
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0192-513X
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Available Date: N/A
Meanings of Sisterhood and Developmental Disability: Narratives from White Nondisabled Sisters
McGraw, Lori A.; Walker, Alexis J.
Journal of Family Issues, v28 n4 p474-500 2007
Integrating thought from critical feminist and disability theorists via a strategic social constructionist perspective, the authors analyzed 10 in-depth qualitative interviews to begin to understand the dialogue between (a) how nondisabled sisters understand themselves and their siblings with developmental disabilities and (b) wider systems of power or discourse. The women in this exploratory study described themselves as good sisters by portraying their siblings with disabilities as normal, emphasizing opportunities for moral enhancement, minimizing personal sacrifices, and accepting the gendered nature of family care. This study suggests that nondisabled sisters co-opt ideology that holds women accountable for moral conduct in families to oppose discourse that devalues people with disabilities. This ideology does not, however, help them transcend a gender system that requires mothers and sisters but not fathers and brothers to engage in family care. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Ideology, Females, Siblings, Developmental Disabilities, Sibling Relationship, Gender Issues, Feminism, Moral Values, Personal Narratives, Adults, Social Attitudes, Sex Stereotypes, Gender Bias, Social Bias, Resistance (Psychology), Family Environment, Gender Differences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A